Ethyl Alcohol/Varenicline Interactions
This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking or discontinuing any drug or commencing any course of treatment.
Medical warning:
Moderate. These medicines may cause some risk when taken together. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) for more information.
How the interaction occurs:
The exact mechanism of this interaction is not known.
What might happen:
When you are taking alcohol-containing medicines, varenicline may increase your risk for intoxication, or having agitated, angry or restless behavior which is not typical for you. If you become intoxicated from the alcohol in your medicine you may also have poor memory of the experience (amnesia).
What you should do about this interaction:
If you develop agitation, hostile or aggressive feelings, depressed mood, or changes in behavior or thinking that are not typical for you, stop taking varenicline and contact your health care provider right away.Alcohol is contained in many medicines including some medications given by vein (e.g.docetaxel and paclitaxel). Discuss the amount of alcohol in your medicines with your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist), especially if you have just started varenicline.Your healthcare professionals may already be aware of this interaction and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
- 1.US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA updates label for stop smoking drug Chantix (varenicline) to include potential alcohol interaction, rare risk of seizures, and studies of side effects on mood, behavior, or thinking. available at: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm436494.htm?source=govdelivery&utm_m edium=email&utm_source=govdelivery March 9, 2015.
- 2.USFood and Drug Administration (FDA). Docetaxel: Drug Safety Communication - May Cause Symptoms of Alcohol Intoxication. available at: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-drug-safety-com munication-fda-warns-cancer-drug-docetaxel-may-cause-symptoms-alcohol June 20, 2014.
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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.